Bicycle Receptacle

ABSTRACT

A bicycle transport container including a wall element which is divided into two parts. The wall element has an upper part and a lower part. The upper part can be opened along a bending edge. Connected to the upper part are two side tabs which, when the upper part is closed, rest against inner sides of the side walls of the bicycle transport container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 202020 105 241.1 filed Sep. 11, 2020, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure relates to a bicycle receptacles, in particular a bicyclecardboard box.

Description of Related Art

Bicycle receptacles such as bicycle cardboard boxes are used forshipping bicycles. The bicycles are arranged inside the correspondingbicycle receptacles in a partially disassembled or entirely assembledstate. In particular, it is known to partially disassemble the bicyclesuch that the front wheel is not mounted, but the real wheel is mounted.Optionally, other components such as saddle or handlebar may also bedisassembled. The transport with mounted rear wheel has on the one handthe advantage that it does not have to be mounted by the customer and onthe other hand that thereby a good protection for the chainstay and alsothe bottom bracket can be realized in a simple way.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In known bicycle transport containers, in particular bicycle transportcardboard boxes, the object is to reduce the risk of damage duringtransport and/or to simplify packaging and/or to simplify removal of thebicycle elements from the transport container.

According to the disclosure, at least individual ones of theseobjectives are solved by a bicycle receptacle according to claim 1and/or according to claim 11 or 10.

A first disclosure relates to a bicycle transport container, inparticular a bicycle transport cardboard box, which is configured suchthat the removal of bicycle elements is simplified. Such a bicycletransport container, which in particular has a cuboid outer contour,comprises a bottom element. The bottom element has a rectangularcross-section, in particular. Two opposite side elements are connectedwith the bottom element. In particular, these are the two narrow sideelements which, in a particularly preferred embodiment, are integrallyformed with the bottom element so that a bending edge is formed betweenthe bottom element and the side elements. In addition, two opposite wallelements are connected with the bottom element. The two wall elementscan also be integrally formed with the bottom element so that a bendingedge is again formed between the wall element and the bottom element. Inaddition, the two wall elements can be connected, at least partially, tothe side elements. An integral design is again preferred here, so thatthere is again a bending edge between the side elements and the wallelements. It is particularly preferred that one of the two wall elementsis connected, in particular integrally formed with both side elementsover the entire height or over the entire length of the edge.

One of the two wall elements is formed in at least two parts, so that ithas an upper part and a lower part. The upper part is connected with thelower part in a foldable manner. It is preferred that the upper part andthe lower part are integrally formed so that they are connected witheach other via a bending edge. Here, it is preferred that the lower partis connected, in particular integrally formed with both side elementsover the entire height of the lower parts. Thus, in a preferredembodiment, the upper part can be unfolded outwards from a closed statein which it forms substantially one plane with the lower part. Inparticular, this allows a customer to easily remove the bicycle orindividual bicycle elements from the bicycle transport container. Also,the transported bike is immediately visible to a customer in a simpleway.

The upper part comprises at least one side tab. When the upper part isclosed, the side tab is arranged such that it is covered by a sideelement, in particular completely. The side tab is in turn preferablyconnected with the upper part via a bending edge and is particularlypreferably integrally formed with the upper part. By providing at leastone side tab, the stability of the bicycle transport container and inparticular of the openable upper part of the wall element can beimproved. Furthermore, it is ensured in the closed state that there isno slot or opening between the upper part and the corresponding sideelement of the bicycle transport container. It is particularly preferredthat two side tabs are provided so that no such slot or opening canoccur on both sides of the upper part. Such a slot would bedisadvantageous for transport since an unintentional tearing open of thebicycle transport container can occur. In addition, the form stabilityof the transport container is significantly improved by providing atleast one side tab.

Furthermore, the bicycle transport container according to the disclosurepreferably comprises a cover element. Said cover element is preferablyconnected with at least one of the two wall elements and serves forentirely closing the bicycle transport container.

Preferably, the upper part has two side tabs, which, in particular, areeach arranged on the side edges of the upper part which runsubstantially parallel to the side edges of the side elements when theupper part is closed, i. e. run substantially vertically when thebicycle transport container is standing on the bottom element. In theclosed state it is preferred that in particular both side tabs arecovered by the respective corresponding side element. It is particularlypreferred that both side tabs in particular rest against the inner sideof the side element when the upper part is closed. When closing theupper part, the at least one side tab is thus guided along the innerside of the side element, in particular in a sliding manner.

In a preferred embodiment, the upper part itself is formed without theprovided side tabs such that it has a rectangular cross-section.Preferably, the lower part is also formed such that it has a rectangularcross-section. The upper part and the lower part together have a sizethat forms the entire wall element in a preferred embodiment, in thisrespect extending over the entire length and height of the bicycletransport container. It is preferred that the upper part has at leastone dimension in vertical direction which is at least 25% of the totalheight of the bicycle transport container. Preferably, the verticalheight of the upper part is at least 50% of the total height of thebicycle transport container.

In a preferred further embodiment of the disclosure, the lower part isin particular firmly connected with the respective side element at bothside edges. It is particularly preferred that the lower part isintegrally formed with both side parts, and that respectively onebending edge is provided.

In addition, it is preferred that at least one of the side tabs has abevel. Such a bevel or beveled outer edge has the advantage that theupper part can be closed more easily, i. e. folded into the closedposition. In particular, that edge of the side tab is beveled which,when the upper part is closed, points in the direction of the interiorof the bicycle transport container. Preferably, both side tabs areformed in this way.

Preferably, the upper part and the lower part, which in particular eachhave a rectangular cross-section, are integrally formed with oneanother. The connection is particularly formed as a bending edge. Withthe aid of this bending edge, it is possible to fold the upper partforward or outward, respectively, in order to open the bicycle transportcontainer. In particular, the upper part can be unfolded byapproximately 180° so that it rests against an outer side of the lowerpart in the unfolded state.

The cover element of the bicycle transport container can be formed as aseparate element. It is preferred that the cover element has a coverpart which is connected with the upper part. It is particularlypreferred that the cover part is integrally formed with the upper part,wherein it is also preferred that the connection is made via a bendingedge. In the closed state, said bending edge corresponds to one of theouter edges of the, in particular, cuboid bicycle transport container,said bending edge particularly extending in longitudinal direction ofthe bicycle transport container and horizontally.

Preferably, the cover element has a further cover part. In a preferredembodiment, said further cover part is connected with the further wallelement. The further wall element is opposite to the wall elementcomprising an upper part and a lower part. Preferably, said cover partis integrally connected with the wall element, wherein a bending edge isalso formed in a preferred embodiment. Said bending edge is preferablyparallel to the bending edge between the cover part connected with thelower part. It is preferred that, when the bicycle transport containeris closed, the two cover parts lie flat against each other and, inparticular, form the upper outer side of the bicycle transportcontainer.

For the arrangement of a mounted or partially assembled bicycle orbicycle elements inside the bicycle transport container, receiving,holding and/or protective elements or the like may be arranged therein.

A further independent disclosure relates to a bicycle transportcontainer, in particular a bicycle transport cardboard box, in which inparticular the risk of damage to bicycles or bicycle elements arrangedinside the bicycle transport container is reduced. In a furtherembodiment, this independent disclosure may be combined with theabove-described disclosure, in particular with the described individualpreferred further embodiments.

The bicycle transport container according to this disclosure comprisesan outer container. Said outer container can be formed in particularcorresponding to the above-described bicycle transport container and inthis respect have a wall element with an openable upper part. Regardlessthereof, the bicycle transport container has receiving elements for abicycle element which are arranged inside the outer container. Forexample, such receiving elements serve for receiving a chainstay, a rearwheel, a bicycle fork, a handlebar, a saddle, running wheels, furtheradditional components and the like.

According to the disclosure, a length compensation element is arrangedbetween one of the receiving elements and an inner side of the outercontainer. This makes it possible to ensure that the receiving elementsdo not shift during transport, particularly in the longitudinaldirection. For example, a rear wheel receiving element and a forkreceiving element can be provided in a partially assembled bicycle. Ifthe receiving elements are firmly connected to the rear wheel or fork,the position of the two receiving elements relative to each other isfixed. By providing a length compensation element according to thedisclosure, for example between the fork element and the inner side ofthe outer container, or the rear wheel receiving element and the innerside of the outer container, slippage of the entire partially assembledbicycle arranged between the fork receiving element and the rear wheelreceiving element can be avoided.

A particular advantage of providing such a length compensation elementaccording to the disclosure is that an outer container with the sameexternal dimensions can be used for different bicycle sizes or bicycletypes. For example, an outer container with the same external dimensionscan be used for different bicycles with various frame sizes. Dependingon the frame size, the fork receiving element and the rear wheelreceiving element have a different distance to each other in the aboveexample. Since the internal dimension of the outer container is thesame, the difference can be compensated by the length compensationelement. It is therefore not required to provide different outercontainers for different bicycles sizes or bicycle types.

In particular, the length compensation element is arranged inlongitudinal direction of the bicycle transport container. Thelongitudinal direction of the bicycle transport container corresponds tothe longitudinal direction of the bicycle or bicycle frame arrangedinside the bicycle transport container. Thus, the length compensationelement particularly avoids slippage in longitudinal direction duringtransport.

Optionally, two length compensation elements may be provided, eacharranged opposite the other on an inner side of the preferably narrowside elements of the outer container. In this way, on the one hand,greater length compensation can be realized in a simple manner and, onthe other hand, the two length compensation elements can also serve asdamping elements in order to avoid the risk of damaging the bicycle orthe corresponding bicycle elements arranged in the bicycle transportcontainer.

In a preferred embodiment, the length compensation element is configuredto be variable in length. Alternatively, depending of the frame size orthe like, different length compensation elements may be provided whichare optionally not variable in length.

It is preferred that the length compensation element being variable inlength has opposite contact elements whose distance to one another canbe varied. Preferably, one of the two contact elements is located at theinside of the outer container, in particular on the inner side of a sideelement of the outer container. The other contact element rests againstthe receiving element, which is in particular the fork receiving elementor the rear wheel receiving element.

It is particularly preferred that the length compensation element ismade from a flat starting material, in particular a flat cardboardelement. In a simple embodiment, the length compensation element couldbe, i. e., for example, have several layers of cardboard lying on top ofeach other. Depending of the number of layers, the length of the lengthcompensation element can be varied in a simple manner. The individuallayers of cardboard can be joined together, in particular via bendingedges.

Preferably, the length compensation element has three bending edges,wherein it is particularly preferred that individual parts of the lengthcompensation element are not parallel to each other. In a preferredembodiment of the length compensation element, the latter has an uppercontact part and a lower contact part which are connected to each othervia a connecting element. Preferably, one, or in particular both of thecontact parts form one of the contact elements. It is particularlypreferred that one, or in particular both contact parts rest against theinner side of the outer container. Here, a flat contact is particularlypreferred.

The connecting element is preferably configured such that, starting fromthe upper and/or lower contact part, it extends in side view, inparticular wedge-shaped, into the interior of the bicycle transportcontainer, i. e. points in the direction of the receiving element. Theconnecting element preferably forms one of the two contact elements.Preferably, the connecting element forms a contact edge or contactsurface facing in the direction of the receiving element, which formsthe contact element.

It is particularly preferred that the connecting element has twoconnecting parts which are connected, in particular integrally formedwith each other and. The two connecting parts are preferably connectedwith each other via a bending edge. Here, it is particularly preferredthat said bending edge is spaced apart from the two contact parts,wherein the bending edge can then form the corresponding contact elementthat rests against the receiving element.

It is further preferred that the connecting element, in particular thetwo connecting parts and the two contact parts, are integrally formedand, in particular, are connected with each other via bending edges.

It is particularly preferred that individual and, in particular, allabove-described components are made of cardboard.

A further independent disclosure relates to a bicycle transportcontainer, in particular a bicycle transport cardboard box, in which inparticular the risk of damage to bicycles or bicycle elements arrangedinside the bicycle transport container is reduced. In a furtherembodiment, this independent disclosure may be combined with one or bothof the above-described disclosures, in particular with the describedindividual preferred further embodiments.

The bicycle transport container according to this disclosure comprisesan outer container which may be formed according to the bicycletransport container described above according to the first disclosure.Regardless thereof, the bicycle transport container has receivingelements for a bicycle element inside the outer container. Here, a forkreceiving element is configured according to the disclosure. The forkreceiving element according to the disclosure has a receiving elementfor receiving a bicycle fork, the receiving element being arrangedbetween dropouts of the bicycle fork, i. e. between the fork legs, in apackaged state. With the aid of the receiving element, a connection withthe bicycle fork is thus possible when the front wheel is mounted.

The connection between the receiving element and the bicycle fork can bemade by separate holding elements, straps, Velcro fasteners or the like.Is is preferred that the front wheel axle, which is particularly formedas a quick-release axle, is used as the fixing element for connectingthe receiving element to the bicycle fork. For this purpose, an openingcan be provided in the receiving element, in which opening thequick-release axle is arranged. For example, the opening can be formedas an upwardly open slot so that the front wheel fork can be insertedinto the slot from above together with the mounted quick-release axle.It is preferred that the opening is a passage opening, in particular ofsubstantially circular cross-section. The fixing element, which isparticularly formed as a front wheel axle, can thus be inserted throughthe opening and fixed to the dropouts of the fork in a mannercorresponding to the fixing of a front wheel.

Regardless of the connection of the bicycle fork to the receivingelement, the receiving element of the fork receiving element is arrangedin the outer container in a packaged state substantially transversely tothe longitudinal direction of the outer container. In the packagedstate, the bicycle element or, in particular, the fork-receiving elementis arranged inside the outer container. By arranging the outer elementtransversely to the longitudinal direction, the bicycle fork fixed tothe receiving element is also arranged transversely to the longitudinaldirection of the outer container. In relation to the longitudinaldirection of the bicycle, the handlebar is thus rotated 90° with respectto the direction of travel.

It is particularly preferred that the receiving element of the forkreceiving element has several cardboard layers arranged parallel to oneanother. This can be individual layers of cardboard or a foldedcardboard so that at least some of the cardboard layers are connected toeach other by folded edges.

In a particularly preferred further embodiment of the disclosure,referring to the fork receiving element, the fork receiving element hasan adjustment element. The adjustment element defines the arrangement ofthe fork receiving element in the outer container so that an exactposition in the outer container is defined such that the fork and alsocomponents connected to the fork are at a distance from the inner sideof the outer container. Thus, the risk of damages is reduced. Theadjustment element is preferably connected, in particular integrallyformed with the receiving element. It is further preferred that theadjustment element is arranged in front of the bicycle fork and thus infront of the receiving element in the longitudinal direction of thebicycle frame arranged inside the outer container. In this respect, theadjustment element also serves as a spacer to a narrow side wall of theouter container.

Preferably, the adjustment element has a base element resting against aninner side of the bottom element of the outer container. Here, the baseelement particularly has a width which substantially corresponds to theinternal dimension of the outer container in width. At least the baseelement prevents the fork receiving element from slipping transverselyto the longitudinal direction of the outer container. In particular, thebase element can have a rectangular cross-section. In addition, theadjustment element can have a stabilizing element which is in particularconnected, preferably integrally formed with the base element. Thestabilizing element can be formed as a cardboard layer which is arrangedobliquely upwards in relation to the base element. Thus, the stabilizingelement has an angle of preferably 30-60° with respect to the baseelement and is arranged in front of the receiving element with respectto the frame longitudinal direction. In this way, the stability of thefork receiving element can be improved.

A further independent disclosure relates to a bicycle transportcontainer, in particular a bicycle transport cardboard box, in which inparticular the risk of damage to bicycles or bicycle elements arrangedinside the bicycle transport container is reduced. In a furtherembodiment, this independent disclosure may also be combined with one orseveral of the above-described disclosures, in particular with thedescribed individual preferred further embodiments.

The bicycle transport container according to this disclosure comprisesan outer container which may be formed according to the firstdisclosure. A handlebar receiving element for a handlebar is arrangedinside the outer container. The handlebar is arranged inside the outercontainer with the aid of the handlebar receiving element according tothe disclosure such that the handle-bar is arranged in longitudinaldirection of the outer container. In relation to a direction of travelof the bicycle, the handlebar is thus rotated by 90°. Although thedisclosure relating to the handlebar receiving element is an independentdisclosure, it is particularly preferred to combine said disclosure withthe above-described disclosure relating to the fork receiving element.Since the fork and handlebar are preferably at least partially mountedand packaged together, the fork and handlebar have the same orientationin the outer container when the two disclosures are combined.

The handlebar receiving element according to the disclosure has acontact element. In a packaged state, the contact element is arrangedsuch that is rests against an upper side of the top tube of the bicycleframe. Furthermore, the contact element is arranged such that it isarranged on a lower side of a handlebar center part. The handlebarcenter part is the center part of the handlebar which is connected to orintegrally formed with the stem and is positioned transverse to thedirection of travel when riding straight ahead. The two handlebar endsare connected with the handlebar center part. The handle-bar ends can bedesigned differently depending on the type of handlebar. It isparticularly possible that the handlebar ends are formed as separatecomponents and can be separated from the handlebar center part. This isparticularly advantageous for the transport of a partially assembledbicycle, since it is then possible to mount the handlebar center part.This is particularly advantageous if the handlebar center part isintegrally formed with the stem or a cockpit, respectively. Inparticular, this has the advantage that the steering head bearings canbe pre-assembled, as they have to be precisely mounted due to thepre-load to be set.

In particular, different handlebar receiving elements can be designed sothat different bicycle handlebars, such as a racing bicycle handlebar, amountain bike handlebar or a triathlon handlebar, can be arranged insidethe bicycle transport container, wherein the same bicycle transportcontainer can be used.

In a preferred further embodiment of the disclosure, the contact elementis connected, in particular integrally formed with a protective element.In a packaged state, the protective element is arranged at a front sideof the handlebar center part. The protective element is thus locatedbetween the handlebar center part and an inner side of the outercontainer, in particular a wall element of the outer container. Thus, inparticular the center park of the handlebar is protected from damagesduring transport.

Preferably, the receiving element has a packaging element. The packagingelement serves for receiving both handlebar ends separated from thehandlebar center part. Here, it is preferred that the packaging elementhas at least one receiving pocket or at least one packaging space,respectively, in which the handlebar ends are at least partiallyarranged in a packaged state. The packaging element also protects thehandlebar ends from damages during transport.

In a packaged state, it is particularly preferred that the packagingelement is arranged laterally next to the top tube and next to the downtube of the bicycle frame. The packaging element is thus arrangedbetween the bicycle frame and on the inner side of the outer container,in particular on an inside of a wall element of the outer container.Preferably, the packaging element is arranged opposite the protectiveelement.

A further independent disclosure relates to a saddle receiving element.This is a packaging for a saddle, in particular together with a seatpostconnected with the saddle. A corresponding saddle receiving element canbe arranged inside a bicycle transport container or in the outercontainer, respectively. The bicycle receiving element according to thedisclosure is configured such that a saddle can be arranged togetherwith the seatpost in two different positions. It is thus possible toarrange a saddle in different position inside the bicycle transportcontainer with the same packaging element. This has the advantage thatwith different bicycles arranged in the bicycle transport container, thebicycle saddle must be arranged differently due to the small storagespace inside the bicycle transport container.

The saddle receiving element according to the disclosure comprises asaddle receptacle which has a passage opening on the one hand and a sloton the other hand. The seat post can be inserted into the passageopening. A front end of the saddle, the saddle nose, can be insertedinto the slot so that the seatpost lies on an upper side of the saddlereceptacle.

Preferably, the saddle receptacle is connected, in particularlyintegrally formed with one or several protective elements. Theprotective elements are arranged such that they protect both the saddleand the saddle tube from damage, in particular in both positions inwhich they can be arranged in the saddle receiving element. Furthermore,the protective elements ensure protection of elements arranged next tothe saddle or the saddle tube, such as a bicycle frame.

In accordance with the elements described above, the saddle receivingelement is also made of cardboard in a preferred embodiment.

For further protection of a bicycle transported, in particular partiallyassembled, in the bicycle transport container or in the outer container,a spacer may be provided, which is an independent disclosure. The spaceris used to bridge a distance between the bicycle frame, in particularthe top tube of the bicycle frame, and an inner side of the cover. Thespacer prevents the bicycle or bicycle frame from moving in a verticaldirection during transport. The spacer is preferably made of a cardboardelement. Preferably, the spacer has three flat elements, in particularcardboard layers, connected via bending edges. These are joined togetherto form a triangle in side view. A first flat element has several slotsinto which a tab connected to the third flat member can be inserted indifferent positions. It is thus possible to vary the size of thetriangular spacer.

To protect the frame, it is possible to provide a frame protector madeof paper or thin cardboard, independently of the disclosures describedabove. The frame protection is configured such that in the unpackedstate it is a flat planar element that has an adhesive strip. The frameprotection can thus be placed, for example, around a top tube or otherframe components and connected by the adhesive surface. Preferably, theframe protection has a perforation preferably parallel to an adhesivestrip so that the frame protection can be removed easily.

The bicycle transport container can be closed for transport by usingseparate closing elements. This can be plastic elements which areinserted into corresponding recesses and are fixed by twisting, forexample. The cardboard box can also be safely closed by an adhesive tapeor the like. Before shipping, the cardboard box may need to be openedagain. This is done, for example, for final inspection or to packadditional products ordered by a customer, such as bicycle accessoriesor the like, into the bicycle transport container.

According to an independent disclosure, it is thus preferred that forclosing the transport container, tabs are provided on cover elements orthe like, which are inserted into slots. According to the disclosure,the slots are designed such that they have at least partially a smallerwidth than the thickness of the tab. Due to the occurring friction, thetab is held in the slot in a clamped manner.

All of the above-described parts of the packaging for a bicycle, inparticular a partially assembled bicycle, are made of cardboard in apreferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following the individual disclosures described above areexplained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective greatly simplified view of abicycle transport container,

FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional view along line II-II in FIG. 1,wherein the bicycle transport container is closed,

FIG. 3 shows a schematic plan view of the bicycle cardboard box, whereinthe front wall element is not shown in order to illustrate the elementsdisposed inside the bicycle transport container,

FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the length compensationelement,

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a fork receiving element and ahandlebar receiving element,

FIG. 6 shows a schematic plan view of the handlebar receiving element,

FIG. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a saddle receiving element,

FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of a spacer, and

FIG. 9 shows a schematic plan view of a holding slot for a closing tab.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a bicycle transport container being cuboid in a closedstate, which is in particular a bicycle transport box made of cardboard.The bicycle transport container has a bottom element 10 having arectangular cross-section. Two opposite side elements 12 are connectedwith the bottom element 10. Since the side elements 12 are preferablyintegrally formed with the bottom element 10, the edges 14 are formed asbending edges. In addition, two wall elements 16, 18, which are alsoopposite each other, are connected with the bottom element 10. The rearwall element 16 shown in FIG. 1 also has a rectangular cross-section andextends over the entire rear side of the bicycle transport container. Inthis respect, the rear wall element 16 is connected at the edges 20 withone of the two side elements 12, the edges 20 preferably also beingbending edges.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the front wall element 18 isformed in two parts and has a lower part 22 and an upper part 24. Thelower part 22 and the upper part 24 each have a rectangularcross-section. In particular, the two parts 22, 24 are integrally formedand connected with each other via a bending edge 26. The bending edge 26allows the upper part 24 to be moved ore opened into the position shownin FIG. 1. The upper part 24 can also be folded upward into the closedposition (FIG. 2) about the bending edge 26.

The lower part 22 is firmly connected to the respective side part 12 atedges 28 which may also be formed as bending edges. The upper part 24 isnot connected with the side part 12. In the illustrated exemplaryembodiment, the upper part is rather connected with two side tabs 30.The two side tabs 30 are connected, in particular integrally formed withthe upper part 24 via bending edges 32.

In addition, the bicycle transport container comprises a cover elementconsisting of two cover parts 34, 36 in the illustrated exemplaryembodiments. In relation to a longitudinal direction 38, the cover part34 is connected at a longitudinal edge 40 with the upper part 24, thelongitudinal edge 40 preferably also being a bending edge. The coverpart 26 of the cover element is connected with the wall element 16 bythe longitudinal edge 42 which preferably also is a bending edge.

In an opened state, i. e. when the upper part 24 is folded forward, theinterior of the bicycle transport container is easily accessible andeasily visible. In this respect, individual bicycle elements or even theentire bicycle can be removed more easily from the bicycle transportcontainer.

The bicycle transport container is closed by folding the two side tabs30 inwards or upwards so that the side tabs 30 form an angle ofapproximately 90° with respect to the inner side of the upper part 24,which faces inwards in the closed state. The upper part 24 is then movedupwards to the position shown in FIG. 2 so that the upper part 24 isarranged in one plane with the lower part 22. In this case, the two sideparts 30 each rest against inner sides 44 of the two side elements 12.

Thus, the bicycle transport container is closed in the open area 46 ofthe edge 28, i. e. in the area in which the upper part 24 is notconnected with the side parts 12. The edges are closed by the tabs 30.

In order to allow the side flaps 30 to be closed as easily as possibleand to prevent them from canting or clamping, the side flaps 30 eachhave a bevel 48. The bevel 48 extends such that the distance between thebending edge 32 and the bevel 48 decreases, starting from an arealocated in the direction of the bending edge 40, an area located in thedirection of the edge 26. The width of the tab thus decreases at leastpartially starting from the upper side or starting from the cover part34 downwards or in the direction of the lower part 22.

To further close the bicycle transport container, after folding up theupper part 24, the cover part 36 connected to the rear wall element 16is folded forward in the direction of the upper part 24 into theposition shown in FIG. 2. Subsequently, the second cover part 34 isfolded inwards around the edge 40, also into the position shown in FIG.2, so that the cover parts 34, 36 overlap or rest against each other.

Tabs can additionally be connected to upper edges 50 of the two sideelements 12, which are folded inwards to close the bicycle transportcontainer and are then also aligned parallel to the two cover parts 34,36. The corresponding tabs, which are particularly connected via bendingedges with the side elements 12, are not illustrated in FIG. 1 forreasons of clarity.

The bicycle transport container shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be an outercontainer in which receiving elements and the like for a bicycle,bicycle elements etc. are arranged.

FIG. 3 shows a side plan view or front view of a bicycle transportcontainer in which the front side wall 18 has been cut away so thatelements arranged inside the bicycle transport container are visible. Inaddition to the illustrated elements, further bicycle elements,transport container, supplementary elements etc. can be arranged in thebicycle cardboard box. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, thebicycle cardboard box illustrated and described with reference to FIGS.1 and 2 is shown, wherein in principle, another bicycle cardboard box oranother bicycle transport container can also be used to realize thedisclosure shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

A partially disassembled bicycle is arranged inside the bicycletransport container. It has a bicycle frame 52 on whose chainstay 54 arear wheel 56 is mounted. Furthermore, a bicycle fork 58 is connectedwith the bicycle frame 52. The rear wheel 56 is arranged in a rear wheelreceiving element 60. The rear wheel receiving element 60, which is alsoproduced in particular by correspondingly folded and bent cardboard,fixes the rear wheel 56, for example, in a slot-like recess, so that therear wheel 56 is firmly connected to the rear wheel receiving element 60in the longitudinal direction 38, and also in particular transversely tothe longitudinal direction 38.

The bicycle fork 58 is fixed in a cable receiving element 62. For thispurpose, the fork receiving element, which is also made of cardboard,can have opening through which the quick release for the front wheel canbe inserted, for example. Thus, the dropouts of the bicycle fork 58 canbe fixed to the fork receiving element 62.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, a relatively small bicycleframe is arranged in the bicycle frame cardboard box. This results in adistance 66 between the fork receiving element 62 and an inner side 64of the side wall 12. A length compensation element 68 is arranged inthis area to bridge the distance 66. A corresponding length compensationelement can also be arranged additionally or instead of the illustratedlength compensation element between the rear wheel receiving element 60and the inner side of the opposite inner wall 12.

In the exemplary embodiment, the length compensation element 68, whichis preferably also made of cardboard, has an upper contact part 70 and alower contact part 72. The two contact parts 70, 72 are connected witheach other via a connecting element which has two connecting parts 74,76 is the illustrated exemplary embodiment. The length compensationelement 68 is made of one part, in particular of cardboard. In thisrespect, the upper contact part 70 is connected to the connecting part74 via a bending edge 78, the two connecting parts 74, 76 are connectedvia a bending edge 80, and the connecting part 76 is connected to thelower contact part 72 via a bending edge 82.

If the length compensation element 68 is arranged in the bicycletransport container, side surfaces 84 of the upper contact part 70 andof the lower contact part 72 rest against the inner side 74 of the sideelement 12. Thus, a first contact element is formed. A second contactelement is formed by the bending edge 80 located between the twoconnecting parts 74, 76. This contact element, which is formed as anedge 80 and is opposite the first contact element 84, rests against anouter side 86 of the fork receiving element 62.

Optionally, a cardboard extending, for example, over the entire heightof the bicycle transport container or a further receiving or fixingelement can be arranged on the outer side 86. This can be used, forexample, to receive or fix a handlebar. Accordingly, the contact element80 would then rests against a corresponding outer side of thisintermediate element.

To prevent the entire bicycle from shifting in the longitudinaldirection 38 of the bicycle transport container, the length compensationelement 68 is inserted into the bicycle transport container from abovein the direction of an arrow 88. Due to the flexibility provided viabending edges 78, 80, 82, the length compensation element 68 can beinserted into the transport container until the bicycle is fixed in thelongitudinal direction. The upper contact part 70 can then be cut tolength. For this purpose, several perforation lines can be provided 90It is thus possible to provide a length compensation element forcompensating different length differences. The length compensationelement 68 can thus be used to easily compensate for different distances66 so that it is possible to arrange, for example, different bicycletypes, bicycle frames of different sizes and the like inside the bicycletransport container. It is thus possible to use a bicycle transportcontainer of identical size for different bicycles etc.

A further length compensation element 68 is provided on the oppositeside, which is between the rear wheel receiving element 60 and the sidewall 12. The function is identical to the above-described function ofthe length compensation element 68 arranged between the fork receivingelement 62 and the left side wall 12 shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a fork receiving element 92and a handlebar receiving element 90 in a packaged state. Compared tothe fork receiving element 62 shown in FIG. 3, the fork receivingelement 92 is configured such that the fork 58 is arranged transverselyto the longitudinal direction 38 in the bicycle transport container. Forthis purpose, the fork receiving element 92 has a receiving element 94which is made of several cardboard layers, in particular. The receivingelement 94 is arranged between the two dropouts 96 of the bicycle fork58. The receiving element 94 has a passage opening or a bore so that thequick-release axle can be inserted therethrough and connected with thedropouts 96 of the fork 58.

Transversely to the longitudinal direction, it is preferred that thereceiving element 94 has a width corresponding to the inner width of thereceiving container, so that the fork 58 cannot be shifted transverselyto the longitudinal direction 38 inside the receiving container, but isarranged in a defined position. In longitudinal direction 38, whichcorresponds to the longitudinal direction of the frame, in front of thereceiving element 94, an adjustment element 98 is connected thereto, theadjustment element 98 also being made of cardboard and being integrallyformed with the receiving element 94. The adjustment element 98 has abase element 100. The base element 100 is formed as a cardboard layerhaving a rectangular cross-section. The width of the base element 100also corresponds to the width inside the bicycle transport container orthe width of the receiving element 94, respectively. A stabilizingelement 102 is connected with the base element 100 via a bending edge.It extends upwards at an angle of about 30° from the illustratedexemplary embodiment to the base member 100. The stabilizing element 102is thus arranged in longitudinal direction 38 in front of the receivingelement 94.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the handlebar receiving element90 is used to receive a multi-piece handlebar. The handlebar has ahandlebar center part 104 which is integrally formed with a handlebarstem 106 or a handlebar cockpit in the illustrated exemplary embodiment.The handlebar stem 106 is mounted with the fork steerer. The handlebarfurther has two handlebar ends 108 that can be removably connected tothe handlebar center part 104 by inserting the handlebar ends 108 intothe side openings of the handlebar center part 104. In the illustratedexemplary embodiment, the handlebar end 108 are formed a racing bicyclehandlebars, wherein the shift and brake levers are already connected tothe handlebar ends 108.

The handlebar receiving element 90 has a flat contact element 110preferably also made of cardboard. The contact element is arranged suchthat, on the one hand, it rests against an upper side 112 of a top tube114 of the frame and, on the other hand, it is arranged below thehandlebar center part 104. A protective element 116 is connected withthe contact element 110. The protective element 116 can be arranged overa bending edge 118 such that the protective element 116 is arrangedsubstantially perpendicular to the contact element 110. With the bicycledisposed in the bicycle transport container, the protective member 116rests against an inner side of one of the wall members 16 or 18 (FIG.1).

Opposite the protective element 116, the handlebar receptacle 90includes a packaging element 120 for receiving the two handlebar ends108, the ends being at least partially arranged in a packaging space 122formed by the packaging element.

The packaging element 120 rests laterally against the top tube 114 andoptionally against the down tube. An outer surface 124 (FIG. 5) restsagainst the inner side of one of the two wall members 16 or 18 when thebicycle is disposed inside the bicycle transport container.

A saddle receiving element 126 (FIG. 7) has a saddle receptacle 128. Thesaddle receptacle 128 has a round opening 130 in the illustratedexemplary embodiment. The saddle tube can be inserted therethrough sothat the saddle itself rests against an upper side 123 of the saddlereceiving element 128 and the saddle tube protrudes downwards. Thesaddle receiving element 128 also has a slot-shaped opening 134. Thesaddle tip can be inserted into said slot so that the saddle tube isarranged in the direction of the opening 130, starting from the slot134, and is arranged on the upper side 132 of the saddle receptacle 128.Thus, a saddle can be arranged together with the saddle tube in twodifferent position inside the saddle receiving element.

In order to protect the saddle as well as the saddle tube and to protectother components arranged inside the bicycle receptacle, in particularthe bicycle frame, two protective elements 136, 138 are connected to thesaddle receptacle 128 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment. Inparticular, both the protective elements 136, 138 and the saddlereceptacle 128 are made of cardboard and are integrally formed.

Inside the bicycle transport container, the receiving element can bearranged in particular such that an upper side 140 of the protectiveelement 136 rests against an inner side of a wall element 16 or 18 (FIG.1).

Optionally, further protective elements can be provided so that belowthe opening 130 a receiving space is formed in which the saddle tube canbe arranged in a protected manner.

A spacer 142 (FIG. 8) may be positioned above a top tube or anotherframe member to compensate for size. In the illustrated embodiment, thespacer 142 is integrally formed of cardboard. Three flat cardboardelements 144, 146, 148 are formed by folding the cardboardappropriately. A spacer 142 having a triangular cross-section in sideview can be formed by a tab or lug 150 provided on the cardboard element148 by inserting the tab 150 into one of the slots 152. Depending onwhich of the slots 152 the lug 150 is inserted into, the spacer hasdifferent dimensions to a different height and can thus be adapted tothe corresponding bicycle element arranged in the bicycle transportcontainer, in particular in the partially mounted bicycle frame. Thisensures that the bicycle frame cannot move inside the cardboard box, asthe spacer 142 is disposed between an upper side of the bicycle frameand the cover element of the bicycle transport container and fills thecorresponding space.

In order to be able to close the bicycle cardboard box easily and toopen it more easily, for example, for final inspection or for packingfurther parts, corresponding closing tabs, which are provided forexample on the cover parts 34, 36 (FIG. 1), have tabs which are insertedinto slots. The slots can be formed such that they are formed at leastin a partial area, corresponding to the slot 154 shown in FIG. 9, whichat least in the central area has a width B that is less than thethickness of the tab. This holds the tab clamped in the slot 154. Toprevent tearing or fraying of the slot 154, the end portions 156 arerounded.

Further Aspects are:

Aspect 1. A bicycle transport container, in particular a bicycletransport cardboard box, comprising

-   -   a bottom element (10),    -   two opposite side elements (12) connected with the bottom        element (10),    -   two opposite wall elements (16, 18) connected with the bottom        element (10) and at least partially with the two side elements        (12), and    -   a cover element (34, 36) preferably connected to at least one of        the two wall elements (16, 18),    -   wherein one of the two wall elements (18) has an upper part (24)        foldably connected to a lower part (22),    -   characterized in that    -   the upper part (24) has at least one side tab (30) being covered        by a side element (12) when the upper part (24) is closed.

Aspect 2. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycletransport cardboard box according to aspect 1, characterized in that theupper part (24) has two side tabs (30), each being covered by one of thetwo side elements (12) when the upper part (24) is closed.

Aspect 3. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycletransport cardboard box according to one of aspects 1 or 2,characterized in that at least one side tab (30) rests against one ofthe side elements (12), in particular an inner side (44) of the sideelements (12), when the upper part (24) is closed.

Aspect 4. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycletransport cardboard box according to any one of aspects 1 to 3,characterized in that the upper part (22) is connected with the two sideelements (12), in particular is integrally formed therewith.

Aspect 5. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycletransport cardboard box according to any one of aspects 1 to 4,characterized in that at least one of the side tabs (30) has a bevel(48).

Aspect 6. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycletransport cardboard box according to any one of aspects 1 to 5,characterized in that the upper part (24) and the lower part (22) areintegrally formed, wherein a bending edge (26) is formed between theupper part (24) and the lower part (22).

Aspect 7. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycletransport cardboard box according to any one of aspects 1 to 6,characterized in that the cover element has a cover part (34) which isconnected to the upper part (24) and is integrally formed, inparticular.

Aspect 8. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycletransport cardboard box according to any one of aspects 1 to 7,characterized in that the cover element has a cover part (36) which isconnected to the further wall element (16) and is integrally formed, inparticular.

Aspect 9. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycletransport cardboard box according to aspect 7 or 8, characterized inthat the two cover parts (34, 36) lie flat against each another when thebicycle transport container is closed.

Aspect 10. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycletransport cardboard box according to any one of aspects 1 to 9,characterized in that receiving, holding and/or protective elements (60,62) for a bicycle frame (52) and bicycle elements are arranged insidethe bicycle transport container.

Aspect 11. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycletransport cardboard box, comprising

-   -   an outer container, in particular of cuboid shape, and    -   receiving elements (60, 62) for a bicycle element (52) which are        arranged inside the outer container,    -   characterized by    -   a length compensation element (68) arranged between a receiving        element (62) and an inner side (64) of the receptacle.

Aspect 12. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycletransport cardboard box according to aspect 11, characterized in thatthe length compensation element (68) is arranged in longitudinaldirection (38) of the bicycle transport container between one of thereceiving elements (62) and the inner side (64) of the outer container.

Aspect 13. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycletransport cardboard box according to aspect 11 or 12, characterized inthat the length compensation element (68) is arranged between one of thereceiving elements (62) and the inner wall (64) of a side element (12)forming a narrow side of the bicycle transport container.

Aspect 14. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycletransport cardboard box according to any one of aspects 11 to 13,characterized in that the length compensation element (68) is variablein length in longitudinal direction (38) of the bicycle transportcontainer.

Aspect 15. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycletransport cardboard box according to aspect 14, characterized in thatthe length compensation element (68) has two mutually opposite contactelements (84, 80) whose distance to one another is variable.

Aspect 16. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycletransport cardboard box according to any one of aspects 11 to 15,characterized in that the length compensation element (68) is made froma flat starting material, in particular a flat cardboard element.

Aspect 17. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycletransport cardboard box according to any one of aspects 11 to 16,characterized in that the length compensation element (68) in particularhas three bending edge (78, 80, 82).

Aspect 18. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycletransport cardboard box according to any one of aspects 11 to 17,characterized in that the length compensation element (68) has an uppercontact part (70) which is connected with a lower contact part (72) viaa connecting element (74, 76).

Aspect 19. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycletransport cardboard box according to aspect 18, characterized in thatthe two contact parts (70, 72) form one of the two contact elements (84)and preferably rest against the inner side (64) of the bicycle transportcontainer.

Aspect 20. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycletransport cardboard box according to one of aspects 18 or 19,characterized in that the connecting element forms one of the twocontact elements (80) and preferably rests against one of the receivingelements (62).

Aspect 21. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycletransport cardboard box according to aspect 20, characterized in thatthe connecting element has two interconnected, in particular integrallyformed connecting parts (74, 76) which are preferably connected to eachanother via a bending edge (80).

Aspect 22. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycletransport cardboard box according to aspect 21, characterized in thatthe bending edge (80) forms one of the contact elements.

Aspect 23. The bicycle transport container, in particular the bicycletransport cardboard box according to claim 21 or 22, characterized inthat the two connecting parts (74, 76) and the two contact parts (70,72) are integrally formed and connected to each other via bending edges(78, 80, 82).

1. The bicycle transport container, comprising an outer container, afork receiving element arranged inside the outer container, the forkreceiving element having a receiving element adapted to be arrangedbetween dropouts of a bicycle fork in order to receive the bicycle fork,wherein the receiving element is substantially arranged transversely tothe longitudinal direction of the outer container so that the bicyclefork mounted to the receiving element is also arranged transversely tothe longitudinal direction of the outer container in a packaged state.2. The bicycle transport container according to claim 1, wherein thereceiving element has a recess for receiving a fixing elementconnectable to the bicycle fork.
 3. The bicycle transport containeraccording to claim 2, wherein the recess is formed as a passage openingthrough which the fixing element is insertable.
 4. The bicycle transportcontainer according to claim 2, wherein a front axle, which is designedas a quick-release axle, is used as the fixing element.
 5. The bicycletransport container according to claim 1, wherein the receiving elementhas several cardboard layers which are arranged parallel to each other.6. The bicycle transport container according to claim 1, wherein thefork receiving element has an adjustment element for a definedarrangement of the fork receiving element in the outer container.
 7. Thebicycle transport container according to claim 6, wherein the adjustmentelement is connected with the receiving element.
 8. The bicycletransport container according to claim 6, wherein the adjustment elementhas a base element resting against an inner side of a bottom element ofthe outer container, whereby the base element has a width whichsubstantially corresponds to the width of the internal dimension of theouter container.
 9. The bicycle transport container according to claim1, wherein the fork receiving element has a stabilizing elementconnected.
 10. The bicycle transport container, comprising an outercontainer, a handlebar receiving element arranged inside the outercontainer for a handlebar arranged in the outer container in thelongitudinal direction thereof, the handlebar receiving element having acontact element which, in the packaged state, rests against an upperside of a top tube of the bicycle frame or is arranged on a lower sideof a handlebar center part.
 11. The bicycle transport containeraccording to claim 10, wherein the contact element is connected with aprotective element which is arranged on a front side of the handlebarcenter part in the packaged state.
 12. The bicycle transport containeraccording claim 10, wherein the handlebar receiving element has apackaging element for handlebar ends separated from the handlebar centerpart, whereby the packaging element is connected with the contactelement.
 13. The bicycle transport container according to claim 12,wherein the packaging element is arranged laterally adjacent to the toptube and a down tube of the bicycle frame in a packaged state.
 14. Thebicycle transport container according to claim 12, wherein the packagingelement has at least one packaging space in which the handlebar ends arearranged in the packaged state.
 15. The bicycle transport containeraccording to claim 11, wherein the packaging element is opposite theprotective element.
 16. The bicycle transport container according toclaim 1, wherein the outer container is of cuboid shape.
 17. The bicycletransport container according to claim 1, wherein the receiving elementhas several cardboard layers which are connected to each other viabending edges.
 18. The bicycle transport container according to claim 6,wherein the adjustment element is integrally formed with the receivingelement.
 19. The bicycle transport container according to claim 1,wherein the fork receiving element has a stabilizing element connectedwith the base element.
 20. The bicycle transport container according toclaim 10, wherein the packaging element is connected and integrallyformed with the contact element.